At the beginning of June 2020, Delta retired their MD-88/90s. In the weeks leading up to this, I had been debating about taking one last flight on a Mad Dog. I decided 3 days before this trip, to take one last flight on a Delta MD-88 before they were gone. After looking at a few options, I decided to go down to visit a friend in Florida for a few days. Since the airlines have reduced their flying due to COVID, I had limited options for the flight down. jetBlue did not have the nonstop flight to MCO, that they usually do. The only flights that were not leaving early in the morning, were American through Philly, or United with a layover at Dulles. I decided on the UA flight. The flight back would be on Delta and the MD-88, the day before they were retired.



United Express “CommutAir” 4879
Syracuse, NY (SYR) – Washington, DC Dulles (IAD)
Embraer E145
N16178
Seat 24A
Scheduled Departure Time – 3:00pm
Actual Departure Time- 3:16pm
Scheduled Arrival Time – 4:20pm
Actual Arrival Time- 4:11pm
55 minutes



N16178 had been at SYR since the prior evening, when it arrived from IAD





They started boarding at 2:30pm. Boarding was done from the back of the airplane, to the front. They called up each person by last name, according to what row they were in for boarding. Once everyone had boarded, we sat at the gate for 10 minutes before the door was closed.

Boarding



24A



We pushed back from the gate at 2:55pm. There was an issue with starting the engines. The pilot announced it would take just a little bit longer than usual, to start the engines. About 15 minutes later, we started to taxi. We came to a stop half way to the runway. The pilots ran the engines for a few minutes, before continuing the taxi.

Taking off





We initially climbed up to 17,000ft. A few minutes later, we continued the climb, to 23,000ft. The flight attendant came through with bottles of water. There were some thunderstorms near IAD, so it was a smooth flight, until we started the descent.



Cabin



Cruising





Descending



Final runway 19C



Touchdown



Pulling into the gate



N16178 spent the night at IAD, before flying to Buffalo the following afternoon





I did not have that long of a connection, so I headed right to my next gate.

United 607
Washington, DC Dulles (IAD) – Orlando, FL (MCO)
Boeing 737-700
N39728
Seat 28A
Scheduled Departure Time – 5:30pm
Actual Departure Time- 5:49pm
Scheduled Arrival Time – 7:50pm
Actual Arrival Time- 7:34pm
1 hour 45 minutes





N39728 at the gate C25. It had flown up from MCO, before our flight right back down. This would be my first flight on a UA 737-700. I had only been on the 800 and 900.





Once everyone had boarded, the flight attendant made an announcement. He said the MCO based flight crew, were glad to have us on a flight to their hometown. He also added that there was a 7 year old onboard, and this was his first flight. They asked everyone to give him a nice welcome, and everyone on the plane clapped. A few minutes later the door was closed, and we pushed back.



Taxiing to runway 19C



After waiting for 7 planes ahead of us, it was our turn



Taking off



Parked UA planes due to COVID



We took off to the south, and climbed right up to 40,000ft. On this flight, the flight attendants did not hand out any drinks or snacks. There was some weather, that we flew just to the west of. We were on top of it for most of the flight, so overall it was a smooth flight down to Florida.



Cruising







We started the descent into Orlando, 30 minutes before landing. The Captain announced we were flying over the area, where the SpaceX launch would be happening, the next day. He also mentioned there were thunderstorms developing near MCO. He was going to try to beat the storms to the airport.



Descending via the CWRLD4 arrival



Final 17R





Touchdown



Just as we touched down, dark clouds moved over the airport. By the time we reached the gate, it had started lightning. When we got to the gate, they made an announcement that the ramp was closed due to the lightning. The checked bags would be delayed, as a result.





Pulling into gate 42, next to a 767-300 that had flown the same flight I was on the day before. The previous day, the original plane had a maintenance issue, and they ended up swapping the 737 for a 767



N39728 spent the night in Orlando, before flying to Houston early the next morning



After a few days, it was time to go back home. Also time for my last Mad Dog flight! I was flying out DAB. It has a small terminal, so I got to the airport an hour before my flight.

Pulling into the airport



Delta Check in at Daytona Beach





There was only one other flight, besides mine for the rest of the day



N995DL at gate 2, after arriving from Atlanta







The really small terminal



Delta 928
Daytona Beach, FL (DAB) – Atlanta, GA (ATL)
McDonnell Douglas MD-88
N995DL
Seat 28E
Scheduled Departure Time – 12:25pm
Actual Departure Time- 12:34pm
Scheduled Arrival Time – 1:44pm
Actual Arrival Time- 1:33pm
59 minutes





Boarding



About to board my last MD-88





Cabin before departure





28E



Before the door was closed, the gate agent made an announcement. She said that this was the last flight for this type of airplane out of Daytona Beach. She said it had flown here for years, and it was being retired tomorrow. All the people in Daytona Beach who worked on this plane, were going to miss it. The captain also mentioned it during his announcement. He said that this particular airplane was close to 30 years old, and only had a few more flights before its retirement. When the woman, in the row in front of me heard that, she said to the person next to her. “How scary to be on such an old plane. Just my luck.” After this the door was closed, and we pushed back.



Taxiing to 7L



My friend took this of my plane taxiing



After holding for a Cessna, we back taxied on the runway. When we got to the November – Two (N2) intersection, we turned around and began my last takeoff on a Mad Dog.

Rolling



Taking off







Climbing via the ROYES7 departure





We initially climbed to 27,000ft, and then climbed up to 35,000ft. The flight attendants handed out bags with two snacks, a bottle of water and a Purell wipe. I looked out the window and enjoyed the view and the sound of the engine, for the hour flight up to ATL



Cruising over southern Georgia



Descending via the SITTH2 arrival





On a downwind for runway 9R



Final





Touchdown



Taxiing to the gate



Pulling into gate A11, next to N908DE preparing to depart to IAD



On my way off, I asked to take a picture of the cockpit. I was talking to the FO, and he said this was his last flight on the MD-88. He also said it would probably be his last flight for a while. He was pretty junior, and had not been reassigned to another plane yet.



One last look at the empty MD-88



N995DL before its next flight to RDU. It then flew back to ATL. After the Raleigh turn, it flew its last revenue flight to SAT later that evening. The next morning, it flew from SAT to BYH for storage



I had a few hours in ATL, before my next flight. I decided to go outside, and watch some MD88s and 90s takeoff.

N912DE headed to Indianapolis



N900DE to Charleston. It flew the final MD-88 flight, DL88 from IAD-ATL the following morning



N517JB, as flight 720 to JFK





N995DL, the plane I flew up from Daytona Beach, taxiing out to Raleigh



N3731T to Tampa



N318NB to New York - LaGuardia



N926DH departing for its final flight ever, to KBYH for storage. I flew two flights on N926DH, from SYR-ATL and ATL-SYR





Rolling



The last takeoff for N926DH. With an empty plane, they had a very steep climb. Before handing them off to departure, ATC asked the pilots about their climb. The pilot said it was the last flight for this plane, and they were taking it to KBYH for permanent storage.



N365FR to Orlando



N981EV going to BYH, to pick up the MD88/90 pilots that were there



AA A319 to Miami



I headed back inside around 4:15pm, for my flight up to Detroit. Since DL was not operating their flights from SYR to ATL, I had no choice but the two connections.

Delta 1028
Atlanta, GA (ATL) – Detroit, MI (DTW)
Boeing 737-900
N924DZ
Seat 25A
Scheduled Departure Time – 5:30pm
Actual Departure Time- 5:44pm
Scheduled Arrival Time – 7:15pm
Actual Arrival Time- 7:13pm
1 hour 29 minutes





N924DZ at gate A26. It arrived earlier in the day from Newark





The flight attendants were running a few minutes late, from another flight. Boarding ended up starting 20 minutes before departure. The flight was not full, so the door was still closed ontime. We pushed back from the gate at 5:33pm, and started to taxi a few minutes later.

Pushing back, N805DN departed to DTW later in the day



Taxiing past N910DE, departing to Pittsburgh



Taking off 9L, with the A330 taxiing out to Amsterdam







Climbing via the PADGT2 departure



We leveled off at 37,000ft. the flight attendants handed out the same bags, they did on the first flight. The TV’s in my row, were not working. The flight attendants had to reset them, and then they worked fine.



Descending via the HTROD2 arrival





Final 21L





Touchdown



Pulling into the gate



N924DZ spent the night in Detroit, before flying to Tampa the next afternoon



Delta Connection “Endeavor” 4733
Detroit, MI (DTW) – Syracuse, NY (SYR)
Bombardier CRJ-900
N478PX
Seat 17A
Scheduled Departure Time – 9:00pm
Actual Departure Time- 9:05pm
Scheduled Arrival Time – 10:15pm
Actual Arrival Time- 9:58pm
53 minutes





N478PX at gate A51, after arriving from Appleton, Wisconsin



Boarding



Everyone had boarded, and we were ready to go by 8:45pm., We pushed back from the gate at 8:53pm, 7 minutes ahead of schedule. Once the engines were started, we taxied quickly to runway 21R, and took off at 9:05pm.

Taxiing



Taking off



Climbing out of DTW, on the HHOWE3 departure





We leveled off at FL310, for the short flight over to Syracuse





Flying over Buffalo





Descending



Final runway 28



Touchdown



Pulling into gate 24



I was glad that I was able to get one last flight in on a Mad Dog. They were one of my favorite planes, and I am going to miss flying on them. I took 30 flights on MD-83, MD-88 and MD-90s on Allegiant, American and Delta.

Thanks for posting a great TR with interesting aircraft, ports and the MD retirement.

Nice TR! Great to see that UA is offering PTVs on the B737-700, but makes me wonder, if ALL B737-700 are equipped with IFE... What about the ex AirTran examples?

Kent350787 wrote:

Thanks for posting a great TR with interesting aircraft, ports and the MD retirement.

It was a nice variety of airplanes, i got to fly on. It was also my first time flying on a plane, that was so close to retirement.

debonair wrote:

Nice TR! Great to see that UA is offering PTVs on the B737-700, but makes me wonder, if ALL B737-700 are equipped with IFE... What about the ex AirTran examples?

I know someone who flew this same flight a few weeks before i did, on another UA 737-700. They said that their plane did not have the PTVs.

I am for anything MD-88 related! Great TR, I sure miss them.

Thank for the great report. You are really lucky to be able to get 2 flights on the MD88. I never had the chance to log a 88. Luckily I managed to get 2 last flights on a 83 last year in Taiwan.

KLASM83 wrote:

I am for anything MD-88 related! Great TR, I sure miss them.

Yeah, i am going to miss flying on them. I flew DL MD-88s and MD-90s many times to Atlanta. Delta replaced the SYR-ATL flight with the 737-800.

blandy62 wrote:

Thank for the great report. You are really lucky to be able to get 2 flights on the MD88. I never had the chance to log a 88. Luckily I managed to get 2 last flights on a 83 last year in Taiwan.

That's good that you were able to get on the 83 last year. What airline was it? I only flew on two MD-83s. One was on American, and the other on Allegiant. Most of my flights on MD airplanes, were the 88 or 90.

jetblue01 wrote:

That's good that you were able to get on the 83 last year. What airline was it? I only flew on two MD-83s. One was on American, and the other on Allegiant. Most of my flights on MD airplanes, were the 88 or 90.

That's was with Far Eastern Air Transport (FE). They, unfortunately, went burst in December. Just went to Taiwan to catch a MD for the last time, as they announced they would retire their MDs. Flew TSA-KNH-TSA. Incidentally, the same trip included HKG-TPE-HKG. Both segments on CI 744. Could well be it was also my last 747s.

Living in Asia, I only had a handful of MD narrowbody flights. 3 MD82 (1 FE and 2 OG), 2 MD83 (FE) and one MD90 (B7)

Really compelling reasons to fly during a pandemic...

Good trip report to read, thanks

Great trip report. Though personally I will be happy they are gone. I did many flights years ago AA YVR-SJC-DFW, a long and loud flight with a stop in SJC as it could not make it there in one shot. As well as BLI-LAS or BLI-PSP with Allegiant.

wr911 wrote:

Great trip report. Though personally I will be happy they are gone. I did many flights years ago AA YVR-SJC-DFW, a long and loud flight with a stop in SJC as it could not make it there in one shot. As well as BLI-LAS or BLI-PSP with Allegiant.

I mainly flew on DL MD-88/90s. I also flew on an Allegiant MD-83 from IWA-FAT-IWA, and AA from CLE-DFW.

September11 wrote:

Good trip report to read, thanks

Thanks!